chrisom

chrisom /KRI-zəm/. noun. A child’s baptismal robe (originally a face cloth) or, upon death before 30 days old, a burial shroud. Derived from pronunciation of chrism, a sacramental balm or oil. From Greek khriein (to anoint). See also chrisomes (children who die in their first month of life).

“Mozart’s pain
I heard then, in the cranny of the hurricane,
As since the chrisom caught me up immersed
I have heard nothing but the sough of the sea”
(John Berryman)

“Christening was a festival with apostle-spoons and a white chrisom cloth, basins, ewers, and towels at the parish church.” (Park Honan)

“The place dripped radiance; was filling like a chrisom with radiance.” (A. Merritt)